Haptic-sense-generation input device that is reduced in size by a gear mechanism

ABSTRACT

A haptic-sense-generation input device is provided with a manipulation knob, a shaft that holds the manipulation knob and is held rotatably by a bearing, a motor having a motor shaft that is parallel with the shaft, a rotation detecting unit for detecting a rotation angle of the manipulation knob, a first gear that is attached to the shaft so as to be rotated by the manipulation knob, and a second gear that is attached to the motor shaft and is rotated by the first gear. A haptic sense that is generated by the motor is transmitted to the manipulation knob via the first gear and the second gear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a haptic-sense-generation inputdevice that is particularly suitable for use in vehicles.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004]FIG. 8 shows a conventional haptic-sense-generation input devicein which the main part is shown in cross section. FIG. 9 is a sectionalview taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8.

[0005] A body 51 is a generally rectangular parallelepiped box made of asynthetic resin and is formed by molding. The body 51 is composed of acircumferential side wall 51 a, a top wall 51 b that is provided abovethe side wall 51 a, a circular opening 51 c that is formed in the topwall 51 b, a first holding portion 51 d that projects inward from thetop wall 51 b, a bottom wall 51 e that is provided below the side wall51 a, and a generally cylindrical second holding portion 51 f thatextends inward from the bottom wall 51 e.

[0006] The opening 51 c and the second holding portion 51 f are opposedto each other. The body 51 has a relatively large volume.

[0007] A motor 52 has a generally cylindrical base portion 52 a and amotor shaft 52 b that projects from the base portion 52 a. The motor 52is provided in such a manner that a rear portion of the base portion 52a is housed in and held by the second holding portion 51 f and the motorshaft 52 b projects outward through the opening 51 c. The motor 52 is ofa large size because it is required to generate a prescribed, relativelyhigh torque.

[0008] A manipulation knob 53 is made of a synthetic resin and is formedby molding. The manipulation knob 53 is composed of a generallycylindrical manipulating portion 53 a, a cylindrical fixing portion 53 bthat is provided inside the manipulating portion 53 a and projects fromthe center of the manipulating portion 53 a, an annular brim 53 c thatextends outward from the bottom of the manipulating portion 53 aperpendicularly to the axis of the fixing portion 53 b, and acylindrical first pulley 53 d that extends from a radial position, closeto its outer periphery, of the brim 53 c so as to be concentric with thefixing portion 53 b.

[0009] The motor shaft 52 b of the motor 52 is directly inserted in thecylindrical fixing portion 53 b of the manipulation knob 53, and themotor shaft 52 b is fixed to the fixing portion 53 b by press fitting orscrewing, for example.

[0010] When the manipulation knob 53 is attached, the manipulatingportion 53 a and the brim 53 c are located outside the body 51 and thefirst pulley 53 d is located inside the body 51.

[0011] A coding member 54 is composed of a disc-shaped rotator 54 a, asupport shaft 54 b that penetrates through the center of the rotator 54a and extends in the vertical direction that is perpendicular to therotator 54 a, a plurality of slits 54 c that are formed in the rotator54 a so as to be arranged concentrically with the support shaft 54 b,and a disc-shaped second pulley 54 d that expends from a prescribedposition of the support shaft 54 b parallel with the rotator 54 a.

[0012] One end portion of the support shaft 54 b of the coding member 54is rotatably attached to the first holding portion 51 d of the body 51,whereby the rotator 54 a can rotate. In this state, the support shaft 54b of the coding member 54 is parallel with the motor shaft 52 b of themotor 52 and the second pulley 54 d of the coding member 54 is flushwith the first pulley 53 d of the manipulation knob 53.

[0013] A photointerrupter 56 has a light-emitting element 56 a and aphotodetector 56 b, and has a function that light that is emitted by thelight-emitting element 56 a is detected by the photodetector 56 b. Thephotointerrupter 56 is provided in such a manner that the rotator 54 ahaving the slits 54 c is interposed between the light-emitting element56 a and the photodetector 56 b. As the rotator 54 a rotates, thephotodetector 56 a intermittently detects light that is emitted by thelight-emitting element 56 a.

[0014] That is, the photointerrupter 56 and the coding member 54constitute a rotation detecting means for detecting a rotation angle ofthe manipulation knob 53.

[0015] A belt 55 is made of elastic rubber or a metal and has a ringshape. The belt 55 is wound on the first pulley 53 d and the secondpulley 54 d, whereby the first pulley 53 d and the second pulley 54 drotate in link with each other. That is, the belt 55 causes the motorshaft 53 b of the motor 52 and the rotator 54 a of the coding member 54to rotate in link with each other.

[0016] A push-button switch 57 is composed of a base portion 57 a and apush button 57 b that projects from the base portion 57 a. Thepush-button switch 57 is provided close to the motor 52 at such aposition that the push button 57 b is opposed to a tip portion of thefirst pulley 53 d of the manipulation knob 53. When the first pulley 53d is manipulated in the axial direction, the push-button switch 57 ispushed (manipulated) by the tip portion of the first pulley 53 d. Thatis, when the manipulation knob 53 is depressed in the axial direction,it is moved in the axial direction together with the motor shaft 52 b,whereby the push-button switch 57 is manipulated.

[0017] A controller 58, which is a central processing unit (CPU), forexample, produces a prescribed output signal when receiving a prescribedinput signal. The output signal is used for controlling a haptic sensethat is generated by the motor 52.

[0018] For example, when a proper output signal is output from thecontroller 58, the motor shaft 52 b of the motor 52 is driven so as toproduce a desired haptic sense. The haptic sense that is transmitted tothe manipulation knob 53 can be changed depending on how the motor shaft52 b is driven.

[0019] Function selection switches 59 are a plurality of push-buttonswitches, for example. A desired function can be selected bymanipulating one of the push-button switches.

[0020] Output signals of the respective function switches 59 are inputto the controller 58. For example, by using the function selectionswitches 59, selection can be made among such functions as tuning of aradio receiver, song selection of a compact disc (CD) player, and routesetting of a navigation system. The function selection switches 59 areprovided at prescribed locations.

[0021] The motor 52 generates a prescribed haptic sense based on anoutput signal of each of the function selection switches 59.

[0022] A monitor 60 is a liquid crystal display device, for example, andhas a display screen. The monitor 60 is provided at a prescribedlocation and performs display that relates to a desired function basedon a control signal for the desired function that is supplied from thecontroller 58.

[0023] Next, the operation of the above-configured conventionalhaptic-sense-generation input device will be described. A control signalfor generating a haptic sense corresponding to a function that has beenselected by manipulating one of the function selection switches 59 isinput to the motor 52. Based on the control signal, the motor 52generates a prescribed haptic sense, which is transmitted to themanipulation knob 53 that is directly attached to the motor shaft 52 bof the motor 52.

[0024] A more specific operation of the conventionalhaptic-sense-generation input device that is performed in tuning in to aradio broadcast will be described below. First, one of the functionselection switches 59 that is provided for a function of tuning in to aradio broadcast is manipulated.

[0025] In response, the controller 58 inputs, to the motor 52, a controlsignal for generating a haptic sense that corresponds to the function oftuning in to a radio broadcast. Based on the control signal, the motor52 generates a prescribed haptic sense that corresponds to the functionof tuning in to a radio broadcast.

[0026] Then, when the manipulation knob 53 is manipulated, the hapticsense is transmitted to the manipulation knob 53 that is directlyattached to the motor shaft 52 b of the motor 52 and the names ofbroadcasting station to tune in to such as NHK first, NHK second, TBS,and Nippon Broadcasting System are displayed on the monitor 60.

[0027] Then, the manipulation knob 53 is rotated clockwise orcounterclockwise so as to tune in to one of the above broadcastingstations. While the manipulation knob 53 is rotated, a rotation angle ofthe manipulation knob 53 is detected by the rotation detecting meansthat is composed of the photointerrupter 56 and the coding member 54,whereby the radio receiver can be tuned to the desired broadcastingstation.

[0028] However, in the conventional haptic-sense-generation inputdevice, the manipulation knob 53 is directly attached to the motor shaft52 b of the motor 52 and a haptic sense that is generated by the motor52 is transmitted to the manipulation knob 53 directly.

[0029] Nowadays, haptic-sense-generation input devices capable ofgenerating strong haptic senses are desired. To satisfy thisrequirement, it is necessary to use a large-sized motor 52 capable ofproducing high torque. This results in problems that the large-sizedmotor 52 is costly and makes the haptic-sense-generation input devicelarger and heavier.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0030] The present invention has been made to solve the abovecircumstances, and an object of the invention is therefore to provide ahaptic-sense-generation input device that is reduced in size and weight.

[0031] A haptic-sense-generation input device according to the inventioncomprises a manipulation knob; a shaft that holds the manipulation knoband is held rotatably by a bearing; a motor having a motor shaft that isparallel with the shaft; rotation detecting means for detecting arotation angle of the manipulation knob; a first gear that is attachedto the shaft so as to be rotated by the manipulation knob; and a secondgear that is attached to the motor shaft and is rotated by the firstgear, wherein a haptic sense that is generated by the motor istransmitted to the manipulation knob via the first gear and the secondgear.

[0032] With this configuration, the motor can be reduced in size andweight as well as in cost while strong haptic senses can be obtained.Further, the haptic-sense-generation input device as a whole can bereduced in size and weight.

[0033] In the haptic-sense-generation input device according to theinvention, the rotation detecting means comprises a rotator and arotatable support shaft that holds the rotator and is parallel with theshaft and the motor shaft, and a third gear that is rotated by the firstgear to manipulate the rotation detecting means is further provided.

[0034] With this configuration, since the third gear is rotated by thefirst gear, a slip is less likely to occur that in the conventionaldevice in which the rotation detecting means uses a belt; the gearrotation is made reliable and stable.

[0035] In the haptic-sense-generation input device according to theinvention, the first gear is an internal gear and the second gear andthe third gear are engaged with the internal gear.

[0036] With this configuration, since the second and third gears havingprescribed gear ratios with respect to the first gear are rotated by thefirst gear, the gear rotation is made stable while thehaptic-sense-generation input device is reduced in size.

[0037] In the haptic-sense-generation input device according to theinvention, the manipulation knob is formed with the first gear that isthe internal gear.

[0038] With this configuration, the first gear can be formed easily andthe cost of the haptic-sense-generation input device can be reducedaccordingly.

[0039] The haptic-sense-generation input device according to theinvention further comprises a fourth gear that is engaged with theinternal gear.

[0040] With this configuration, since the internal gear is engaged withthe second, third, and fourth gears, the internal gear is pulled towardthe fourth gear by the fourth gear itself. Therefore, the second andthird gears rotate being engaged with the internal gear reliably andhence the internal gear can rotate stably.

[0041] In the haptic-sense-generation input device according to theinvention, the second gear, the third gear, and the fourth gear arelocated at the respective apices of an equilateral triangle.

[0042] With this configuration, the rotation of the internal gear ismade more stable.

[0043] In the haptic-sense-generation input device according to theinvention, the shaft is movable in an axial direction thereof, and apush-button switch that is manipulated when the shaft is moved in theaxial direction and a printed wiring board that is mounted with thepush-button switch are further provided.

[0044] With this configuration, the push-button switch can bemanipulated stably and attached easily while the cost of thehaptic-sense-generation input device is reduced.

[0045] The haptic-sense-generation input device according to theinvention further comprises an illumination lamp mounted on a printedwiring board, for illuminating the manipulation knob.

[0046] With this configuration, the manipulation knob can be illuminatedby the illumination lamp and the illumination lamp can be attachedeasily while the cost of the haptic-sense-generation input device isreduced.

[0047] In the haptic-sense-generation input device according to theinvention, the printed wiring board is a single printed wiring boardthat is mounted with the push-button switch, the illumination lamp, andthe rotation detecting means.

[0048] With this configuration, since the above components are mountedon the single printed wiring board, they can be attached easily whilethe cost of the haptic-sense-generation input device is reduced.

[0049] In the haptic-sense-generation input device according to theinvention, the rotation detecting means is a light transmission typeencoder.

[0050] With this configuration, the transmission type encoder having asimple structure can be attached easily while the cost of thehaptic-sense-generation input device is reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051]FIG. 1 shows a haptic-sense-generation input device according toan embodiment of the invention in which the main part is shown in crosssection;

[0052]FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

[0053]FIG. 3 illustrates a function of the haptic-sense-generation inputdevice according to the embodiment and specifically shows a haptic sensethat is generated during a radio tuning operation;

[0054]FIG. 4 illustrates another function of the haptic-sense-generationinput device according to the embodiment and specifically shows a hapticsense that is generated during a radio sound volume control operation;

[0055]FIG. 5 illustrates still another function of thehaptic-sense-generation input device according to the embodiment andspecifically shows a haptic sense that is generated during a CD songselection operation;

[0056]FIG. 6 illustrates a further function of thehaptic-sense-generation input device according to the embodiment andspecifically shows a haptic sense that is generated during anair-conditioner temperature setting operation;

[0057]FIG. 7 is a chart showing the radio tuning operation in detail;

[0058]FIG. 8 shows a conventional haptic-sense-generation input devicein which the main part is shown in cross section; and

[0059]FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0060] A haptic-sense-generation input device according to the presentinvention will be hereinafter described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.FIG. 1 shows a haptic-sense-generation input device according to anembodiment of the invention in which the main part is shown in crosssection. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

[0061] A generally cylindrical body 1 is made of a synthetic resin andis formed by molding. The body 51 is composed of a disc-shaped top wall1 a, a cylindrical side wall 1 d that expends from the outer peripheryof the top wall 1 a in the vertical direction, a first bearing 1 b thatis provided at the center of the top wall 1 a so as to project outward,a second bearing 1 c that projects inward from the top surface 1 a, athroug-hhole 1 e that is formed through the top wall 1 a, a fixing hole1 f that is formed through the top wall 1 a, a support portion 1 g thatprojects inward from a prescribed position of the side wall id, and alid 1 h that closes the opening of the side wall 1 d. The body 1 has arelatively small volume.

[0062] A generally cylindrical manipulation knob 2 is made of asynthetic resin and is formed by molding. The manipulation knob 2 iscomposed of a disc-shaped top wall 2 a, a cylindrical side wall 2 b thatextends from the outer periphery of the top wall 2 a in the verticaldirection, and a holding portion 2 c that projects inward from thecenter of the top wall 2 a.

[0063] The bottom portion of the inner surface of the side wall 2 b ofthe manipulation knob 2 is provided with a first gear 2 f that is aninternal gear having a large diameter. The first gear 2 f has arelatively large number of teeth.

[0064] A cylindrical rotary shaft 3 is made of a metal and is formed bycutting. The rotary shaft 3 is composed of a base portion 3 a, a fixingportion 3 b that is provided on one side of the base portion 3 a, agroove portion 3 c that is provided on the other side of the baseportion 3 a.

[0065] The rotary shaft 3 is integrated with the manipulation knob 2 byinsert molding (the fixing portion 3 b is inserted in the holdingportion 2 c). The base portion 3 a of the rotary shaft 3 is inserted inand held by the first bearing 1 b of the body 1 in a rotatable manner,and the groove portion 3 c of the rotary shaft 3 projects from the firstbearing 1 b. The rotary shaft 3 serves as a shaft portion. The rotaryshaft 3 may be fixed to the manipulation knob 2 by a fixing means suchas a screw.

[0066] The groove portion 3 c of the rotary shaft 3 is fitted in afixing member 8 which is what is called a C-shaped washer, whereby therotary shaft 3 is prevented from falling off the first bearing 1 b.

[0067] The rotary shaft 3 is inserted in a resilient member 9 which is acoiled spring, and the resilient member 9 is interposed between the tipsurface of the holding portion 2 c of the manipulation knob 2 and thetip surface of the first bearing 1 b of the body 1. The resilient forceof the resilient member 9 urges the manipulation knob 2 outward(upward). The manipulation knob 2 thus urged can not only rotate butalso move in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 3 together with therotary shaft 3.

[0068] A motor 4 has a generally cylindrical base portion 4 a, a motorshaft 4 b that projects upward from the base portion 4 a, and a secondgear 4 c (spur gear) that is attached to the motor shaft 4 b. One endportion of the base portion 4 a is attached to the fixing hole 1 f by aproper means, and the motor shaft 4 b projects outward from the fixinghole 1 f.

[0069] The second gear 4 c is smaller in diameter than the first gear 2f. When the motor 4 is attached to the body 1, the second gear 4 c ofthe motor 4 is located inside the first gear 2 f of the manipulationknob 2, oriented parallel with it, and engaged with it. The motor shaft4 b of the motor 4 is parallel with the rotary shaft 3 of themanipulation knob 2.

[0070] With the above structure, a haptic sense generated by the motor 4is transmitted to the manipulation knob 2 via the second gear 4 c andthe first gear 2 f that are in mesh.

[0071] Since the motor 4 rotates the manipulation knob 2 via the secondgear 4 c and the first gear 2 f that are in mesh, the torque that istransmitted from the motor 4 to the manipulation knob 2 can easily bechanged by changing the gear ratio between the gears 4 c and 2 f.Therefore, even if the motor 4 generates a prescribed, relatively lowtorque, high torque can be given to the manipulation knob 2; the motor 4can be miniaturized.

[0072] A third gear 5 is made of a synthetic resin and is formed bymolding. The third gear 5 is composed of a spur gear 5 a and a supportshaft 5 b that projects from the center of the spur gear 5 aperpendicularly to the spur gear 5 a.

[0073] The third gear 5 is attached to the body 1 rotatably in such amanner that the support shaft 5 b is inserted in the second bearing 1 cof the body 1. The tip portion of the support shaft 5 b projectsdownward from the second bearing 1 c.

[0074] The third gear 5 deviates from the second gear 4 c by 120° aboutthe center of the first bearing 1 b. The spur gear 5 a of the third gear5 is smaller in diameter than the first gear 2 f and is located insidethe first gear 2 f. The spur gear 5 a is parallel with the first gear 2f and is engaged with it.

[0075] When the third gear 5 is attached to the body 1, the spur gear 5a is engaged with the first gear 2 f of the manipulation knob 2.Therefore, the spur gear 5 a of the third gear 5 rotates as the firstgear 2 f rotates.

[0076] A fourth gear 7 is made of a synthetic resin and is formed bymolding. The fourth gear 7 is composed of a spur gear 7 a and a supportshaft 7 b that projects from the center of the spur gear 7 aperpendicularly to the spur gear 7 a. The support portion 7 b of thefourth gear 7 is attached to the top wall 1 a of the body 1 rotatably bya proper means.

[0077] The fourth gear 7 deviates from the second gear 4 c by 120° aboutthe center of the first bearing 1 b. The spur gear 7 a of the fourthgear 7 is smaller in diameter than the first gear 2 f and is locatedinside the first gear 2 f. The spur gear 7 a is parallel with the firstgear 2 f and is engaged with it.

[0078] That is, the second gear 4 c, the third gear 5, and the fourthgear 7 are located at the respective apices of an equilateral trianglewhose center is located on the axis of the first bearing 1 b and therotary shaft 3 that is inserted in the first bearing 1 b.

[0079] Each of the spur gears of the second, third, and fourth gears 4c, 5, and 7 is engaged with the first gear 2 f that is an internal gearand, as mentioned above, the second, third, and fourth gears 4 c, 5, and7 are located at the respective apices of an equilateral triangle. Thefirst gear 2 f is pulled toward the fourth gear 7 by the fourth gear 7itself. Therefore, the second gear 4 c and the third gear 5 rotate whilebeing engaged with the first gear 2 f (internal gear) reliably, andhence the first gear 2 f rotates without slipping.

[0080] A coding member 6 is composed of a disc-shaped rotator 6 a, asupport shaft 6 b that extends upward from the center of the rotator 6 aperpendicularly to the rotator 6 a and that supports the rotator 6 a,and a plurality of (e.g., 40) slits 6 c that are formed in the rotator 6a so as to extend in the radial direction and be arranged concentricallywith the support shaft 6 b.

[0081] The tip portion of the support shaft 5 b of the third gear 5 isinserted in the support shaft 6 b of the coding member 6 and fixed tothe support shaft 5 b by a proper means (e.g., by screwing), whereby thecoding member 6 can rotate on the support shaft 6 b. With thisstructure, the coding member 6 is rotated (manipulated) by rotation ofthe third gear 5.

[0082] A printed wiring board 10 is such that a prescribed circuitpattern (not shown) is formed on at least one of the surfaces of asingle flat plat board. The printed wiring board 10 is attached to thesupport portion 1 g of the body 1 by screwing, for example, and is thusprovided in the body 1.

[0083] A photointerrupter 13 is composed of a base portion 13 a, alight-emitting element 13 b that is attached to the base portion 13 a,and a photodetector 13 c that is attached to the base portion 13 a so asto be opposed to the light-emitting element 13 b. The photointerrupter13 has a function that light that is emitted by the light-emittingelement 13 b is detected by the photodetector 13 c.

[0084] The photointerrupter 13 is provided in such a manner that therotator 6 a, having the slits 6 c, of the coding member 6 is interposedbetween the light-emitting element 13 b and the photodetector 13 c. Asthe rotator 6 a of the coding member 6 rotates, the photodetector 13 cintermittently detects light that is emitted by the light-emittingelement 13 b.

[0085] That is, the photointerrupter 13 and the coding member 6constitute a light transmission type encoder as a rotation detectingmeans for detecting a rotation angle of the manipulation knob 2.

[0086] The photointerrupter 13 is mounted on the printed wiring board 10and is connected to the circuit pattern formed thereon.

[0087] A push-button switch 11 is composed of a base portion 11 a and apush button 11 b that projects upward from the base portion 11 a. Thepush-button switch 11 is provided at such a position that the pushbutton 11 b is opposed to the tip portion of the rotary shaft 3.

[0088] The push-button switch 11 is mounted on the printed wiring board10 and is provided so as to be manipulated when the rotary shaft 3 thatholds the manipulation knob 2 is moved in its axial direction. That is,when the manipulation knob 2, and hence the rotary shaft 3, is moved inthe axial direction, the tip portion of the rotary shaft 3 manipulatesthe push button 11 b of the push-button switch 11.

[0089] An illumination lamp 12, which is a light-emitting diode (LED),for example, is composed of a light-emitting portion 12 a and a terminal12 b that extends downward from the light-emitting portion 12 a. Thelight-emitting portion 12 a of the illumination lamp 12 is housed in themanipulation knob 2, and the terminal 12 b is mounted on the printedwiring board 10 and is connected to the circuit pattern formed thereon.

[0090] Therefore, when the light-emitting portion 12 a emits light, themanipulation knob 2 is illuminated from inside.

[0091] As described above, the push-button switch 11, the illuminationlamp 12, and the rotation detecting means that consists of thephotointerrupter 13 and the coding member 6 are mounted on the singleprinted wiring board 10.

[0092] A controller 14, which is a central processing unit (CPU), forexample, produces a prescribed output signal (e.g., a signal to besupplied to the motor 4) when receiving a prescribed input signal (e.g.,a signal supplied from the photointerrupter 13 or the push-button switch11). The output signal is used for controlling a haptic sense that isgenerated by the motor 4.

[0093] For example, when a proper output signal is output from thecontroller 14, the motor shaft 4 b of the motor 4 is driven so as toproduce a desired haptic sense. The haptic sense that is transmitted tothe manipulation knob 2 can be changed depending on how the motor shaft4 b is driven.

[0094] For example, function selection switches 15 are a plurality of(e.g., three) push-button switches 15 a, 15 b, and 15 c. A desiredfunction can be selected by manipulating one of the push-button switches15 a, 15 b, and 15 c. Output signals of the respective function switches15 are input to the controller 14.

[0095] For example, by using the function selection switches 15,selection can be made among such functions as tuning of a radioreceiver, song selection of a compact disc (CD) player, and routesetting of a navigation system. The function selection switches 15 areprovided at prescribed locations.

[0096] The motor 4 generates a prescribed haptic sense based on anoutput signal of each of the function selection switches 15.

[0097] A monitor 16 is a liquid crystal display device, for example, andhas a display screen. The monitor 16 is provided at a prescribedlocation and displays a picture that relates to a desired function onthe display screen based on a control signal for the desired functionthat is supplied from the controller 14.

[0098] Next, among the operations of the various functions that areperformed by the haptic-sense-generation input device according to theinvention, a radio tuning operation, a radio sound volume controloperation, a CD song selection operation, and an air-conditionertemperature setting operation will be described with reference to FIGS.3-7. FIG. 3 illustrates a function of the haptic-sense-generation inputdevice according to the embodiment of the invention and specificallyshows a haptic sense that is generated during a radio tuning operation.FIG. 4 illustrates another function of the haptic-sense-generation inputdevice according to the embodiment and specifically shows a haptic sensethat is generated during a radio sound volume control operation. FIG. 5illustrates still another function of the haptic-sense-generation inputdevice according to the embodiment and specifically shows a haptic sensethat is generated during a CD song selection operation. FIG. 6illustrates a further function of the haptic-sense-generation inputdevice according to the embodiment and specifically shows a haptic sensethat is generated during an air-conditioner temperature settingoperation. FIG. 7 is a chart showing the radio tuning operation indetail.

[0099] Each of FIGS. 3-6 outlines an operation that is performed afterestablishment of a state that a desired function (e.g., a tuning of aradio, song selection of a CD player, or route selection of a navigationsystem) has been selected by manipulating one of function selectionswitches 15 that are the plurality of (e.g., three) push-button switches15 a, 15 b, and 15 c.

[0100] First, the radio tuning operation will be described withreference to FIG. 3. As the manipulation knob 2 is rotated clockwise orcounterclockwise, the motor 4 (see FIG. 1) is driven by the controller14 so as to generate, in order, haptic senses that are one-click feelsat prescribed intervals. The radio is tuned, in order, to radio stationssuch as NHK First, NHK Second, TBS, and Nippon Broadcasting System thatare assigned to the respective haptic senses.

[0101] Next, the radio tuning operation of the haptic-sense-generationinput device according to the embodiment as well as related hapticsenses that are transmitted to the manipulation knob 2 will be describedin detail with reference to FIG. 7.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 7, first, one of the function selection switches15 (push-button switches) corresponding to the function of radio tuningis pushed (selected) (indicated by numeral 31 in FIG. 7), whereupon thecontroller 14 recognizes that a radio tuning operation should beperformed.

[0103] Then, a rotation angle of the rotation detecting means that isrotated by rotating the manipulation knob 2 (see FIG. 1) is detected(indicated by numeral 32 in FIG. 7) and the detected rotation angle isinput to the controller 14 as a control signal.

[0104] Then, a list of radio stations (e.g., NHK First, NHK Second, TBS,and Nippon Broadcasting System) to which the radio can be tuned isdisplayed on the screen of the monitor 16 based on a monitor controlsignal that is supplied from the controller 14 (indicated by numeral 33in FIG. 7).

[0105] Then, as the manipulation knob 2 is rotated, the controller 14supplies the motor 4 with a haptic sense control signal. The motor 4generates a prescribed haptic sense based on the haptic sense controlsignal (indicated by numeral 34 in FIG. 7). The generated haptic senseis transmitted to the manipulation knob 2 via the first gear 2 f and thesecond gear 4 c. In this manner, the radio is tuned to a desired radiostation that is displayed on the screen of the monitor 16.

[0106] When the desired radio station (e.g., TBS) has been selected byrotating the manipulation knob 2, the rotation of the knob 2 is stopped(indicated by numeral 35 in FIG. 7) and the manipulation knob 2 ispushed in the axial direction, whereby the push-button switch 11 (seeFIG. 1) is turned on to complete the selection of the desired radiostation (indicated by numeral 36 in FIG. 7).

[0107] Next, the radio sound volume control operation will be describedwith reference to FIG. 4. As the manipulation knob 2 is rotatedclockwise or counterclockwise, the motor 4 is driven by the controller14 so as to generate, on the manipulation knob 2, haptic senses that areconsecutive one-click feels. The radio sound volume is increased ordecreased every haptic sense.

[0108] Next, the CD song selection operation will be described withreference to FIG. 5. As the manipulation knob 2 is rotated clockwise orcounterclockwise, the motor 4 is driven by the controller 14 so as togenerate, on the manipulation knob 2, haptic senses that are two-clickfeels at prescribed intervals. For example, a first song, a second song,. . . , and an eighth song of a CD are selected in association with therespective haptic senses.

[0109] Next, the air-conditioner temperature setting operation will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 6. As the manipulation knob 2 isrotated clockwise or counterclockwise, the motor 4 is driven by thecontroller 14 so as to generate, on the manipulation knob 2, a hapticsense that is a torque feel. The torque feel becomes stronger as themanipulation knob 2 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise from thecenter position (see FIG. 6). The temperature of the air-conditioner isset by using the torque feel on the manipulation knob 2.

[0110] The radio sound volume control operation, the CD song selectionoperation, and the air-conditioner temperature setting operation willnot be described any further because they are almost the same as theradio tuning operation that was described above with reference to FIG.7.

[0111] In the haptic-sense-generation input device according to theembodiment, the first gear 2 f is engaged with the three gears, that is,the second, third, and fourth gears 4 c, 5, and 7, that are located atthe respective apices of an equilateral triangle. However, the inventionis not limited to such a case. The three gears may be located at therespective apices of a triangle that is not an equilateral triangle. Asa further alternative, the first gear 2 f may be engaged with two gears.

[0112] In the haptic-sense-generation input device according to theembodiment, the first gear 2 f of the manipulation knob 2 that is aninternal gear is engaged with the second gear 4 c that is a spur gearand is attached to the motor shaft 4 b. However, the invention is notlimited to such a case. The first gear 2 f that is engaged with thesecond gear 4 c may be a spur gear.

[0113] As described above, the haptic-sense-generation input deviceaccording to the invention comprises the manipulation knob shaft and themotor shaft that are parallel with each other, the first gear that isattached to the manipulation knob shaft so as to be rotated by themanipulation knob, and the second gear that is attached to the motorshaft and is rotated by the first gear, wherein a haptic sense that isgenerated by the motor is transmitted to the manipulation knob via thefirst gear and the second gear. With this configuration, the motor canbe reduced in size and weight as well as in cost while strong hapticsenses can be obtained. Further, the haptic-sense-generation inputdevice as a whole can be reduced in size and weight.

[0114] In the haptic-sense-generation input device according to theinvention, the first gear is an internal gear and the second gear andthe third gear are engaged with the internal gear. Since the second andthird gears having prescribed gear ratios with respect to the first gearare rotated by the first gear, the gear rotation is made stable whilethe haptic-sense-generation input device is reduced in size.

[0115] In the haptic-sense-generation input device according to theinvention, the second gear, the third gear, and the fourth gear arelocated at the respective apices of an equilateral triangle. This makesthe rotation of the internal gear more stable.

What is claimed is:
 1. A haptic-sense-generation input devicecomprising: a manipulation knob; a shaft that holds the manipulationknob and is held rotatably by a bearing; a motor having a motor shaftthat is parallel with the shaft; rotation detecting means for detectinga rotation angle of the manipulation knob; a first gear that is attachedto the shaft so as to be rotated by the manipulation knob; and a secondgear that is attached to the motor shaft and is rotated by the firstgear, wherein a haptic sense that is generated by the motor istransmitted to the manipulation knob via the first gear and the secondgear.
 2. The haptic-sense-generation input device according to claim 1,wherein the rotation detecting means comprises a rotator and a rotatablesupport shaft that holds the rotator and is parallel with the shaft andthe motor shaft, and wherein the haptic-sense-generation input devicefurther comprises a third gear that is rotated by the first gear tomanipulate the rotation detecting means.
 3. The haptic-sense-generationinput device according to claim 2, wherein the first gear is an internalgear, and the second gear and the third gear are engaged with theinternal gear.
 4. The haptic-sense-generation input device according toclaim 3, wherein the manipulation knob is formed with the first gearthat is the internal gear.
 5. The haptic-sense-generation input deviceaccording to claim 3, further comprising a fourth gear that is engagedwith the internal gear.
 6. The haptic-sense-generation input deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein the second gear, the third gear, and thefourth gear are located at respective apices of an equilateral triangle.7. The haptic-sense-generation input device according to claim 1,wherein the shaft is movable in an axial direction thereof, and whereinthe haptic-sense-generation input device further comprises a push-buttonswitch that is manipulated when the shaft is moved in the axialdirection, and a printed wiring board that is mounted with thepush-button switch.
 8. The haptic-sense-generation input deviceaccording to claim 4, further comprising an illumination lamp mounted ona printed wiring board, for illuminating the manipulation knob.
 9. Thehaptic-sense-generation input device according to claim 7, furthercomprising an illumination lamp mounted on a printed wiring board, forilluminating the manipulation knob, wherein the printed wiring board isa single printed wiring board that is mounted with the push-buttonswitch, the illumination lamp, and the rotation detecting means.
 10. Thehaptic-sense-generation input device according to claim 1, wherein therotation detecting means is a light transmission type encoder.
 11. Thehaptic-sense-generation input device according to claim 4, furthercomprising a fourth gear that is engaged with the internal gear.
 12. Thehaptic-sense-generation input device according to claim 11, wherein thesecond gear, the third gear, and the fourth gear are located atrespective apices of an equilateral triangle.
 13. Thehaptic-sense-generation input device according to claim 3, wherein theshaft is movable in an axial direction thereof, and wherein thehaptic-sense-generation input device further comprises a push-buttonswitch that is manipulated when the shaft is moved in the axialdirection, and a printed wiring board that is mounted with thepush-button switch.
 14. The haptic-sense-generation input deviceaccording to claim 8, wherein the shaft is movable in an axial directionthereof, wherein the haptic-sense-generation input device furthercomprises a push-button switch that is manipulated when the shaft ismoved in the axial direction, and wherein the printed wiring board is asingle printed wiring board that is mounted with the push-button switch,the illumination lamp, and the rotation detecting means.
 15. Thehaptic-sense-generation input device according to claim 3, wherein therotation detecting means is a light transmission type encoder.
 16. Thehaptic-sense-generation input device according to claim 12, wherein therotation detecting means is a light transmission type encoder.
 17. Thehaptic-sense-generation input device according to claim 14, wherein therotation detecting means is a light transmission type encoder.